Lotus has introduced the plug-in hybrid version of its Eletre SUV, set to arrive in Europe this summer.
This vehicle is notable as it represents the Geely-owned brand’s return to using combustion engines after initially committing to an all-electric lineup.
Launched this week in China, the PHEV is offered as a separate model with new names: For Me in China and the more traditional Eletre X in Europe.
The European launch is scheduled for June, with sales starting in October. Pricing details have not been released yet; the fully electric model begins at £84,990.
The powertrain combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with an electric motor on each axle, delivering a total of 939bhp and achieving 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds. This surpasses the pure-electric Eletre R’s maximum output of 892bhp.
Lotus is positioning its new PHEV against luxury competitors, with CEO Feng Qingfeng mentioning the Lamborghini Urus and Ferrari Purosangue during the launch. The Urus is now only available as a PHEV with 789bhp.
The Eletre X features a 70kWh battery, smaller than the EV’s 108kWh pack, providing an electric-only range of 217 miles according to Europe’s WLTP cycle. Lotus claims a combined range of about 750 miles.
The battery supports ‘6C’ fast charging, allowing it to charge from 30% to 80% in eight minutes.
Additional features include Lotus’s 6D Digital Dynamic Chassis with an adaptive 48V anti-roll bar, which the company says reduces the "boat-like" sensation common in some SUVs.
The X weighs between 2575kg and 2625kg depending on trim and options, roughly comparable to the pure-electric Eletre.
The ‘X-hybrid’ technology resembles that used in Lotus’s sister brand Zeekr’s 9X luxury SUV, which uses up to three electric motors for a combined 1381bhp, hinting at possible future upgrades.
Lotus’s move to PHEV power aims to attract affluent customers who have been hesitant to switch to full EVs. Alongside the Urus, the For Me will compete with the 717bhp Aston Martin DBX and the 748bhp BMW XM.
Lotus has also announced plans for a PHEV version of the Emira sports car as part of a facelift aligned with the Euro 7 emissions regulations coming into effect in 2027.
While the brand had previously committed to selling only EVs by 2028, slower-than-expected sales of the Eletre and Emeya have led to a change in strategy.
CEO Feng Qingfeng stated that launching PHEVs will support Lotus’s sales in markets with slower EV adoption, such as Italy and Saudi Arabia.
The introduction of PHEVs is also expected to improve Lotus’s profitability. The company reported an operating loss of $357 million (£267 million) in the first nine months of 2025.
